north-west cherries US

This year's US Pacific north-west cherry deal is bordering on a crop failure, according to one major grower.

Original pre-season forecasts put the forecast volume at 18m (9.1kg) cartons, but an extraordinarily cool and wet spring has interfered with pollination to the point where the 2008 cherry crop may pack out at less than 8m cartons, the source said.

He added that the Bing crop is already close to finishing for the season and there will be a two-week gap before the late varieties are ready for harvesting in mid-July.

As of 1 July, shipments were running at 23 per cent of the 2007 rate, according to the USDA. Delays to the crop are reportedly causing concern over a loss of sales during the traditionally strong 4 July holiday period.